Gary Welford

Five fire crews spent hours tackling a huge farm fire near Sacriston, County Durham, last night.

Two barns containing 1,200 tonnes of hay were destroyed in the blaze at Plawsworth Road, which broke out at around 8pm last night.

The flames could be seen for miles around.

A spokeswoman for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said three fire crews from Durham, one from High Handenhold and one from Consett attended, plus an environmental protection unit, were called to the scene just before 8pm.

The fire service reduced the number of crews present to four at about 10pm, they remained at the farm for "some considerable time".